Tearful Pochettino on ‘difficult’ decision to leave USA for Man Utd

Mauricio Pochettino expressed that the decision to leave his position as head coach of the USA national team and join Manchester United was one of the most challenging in his career. The Argentine was officially appointed as United's new head coach on Friday, following a two-and-a-half-year contract. United made a release clause payment of approximately £7.4 million to Pochettino's former team, USA.

The 54-year-old's backroom staff also received additional payments. Pochettino had previously signed a new four-year deal with the USA in the summer but left after leading the national team in matches against Haiti on November 14 and 18. The coach was visibly emotional during his first news conference following the move to United, expressing his sadness at the decision but acknowledging it was a professional move to pursue his dreams.

Pochettino revealed that he rejected the opportunity to return to the USA because the chance to manage at Old Trafford was too significant. He will take over a team that has only won once in their last 10 league matches, sitting just one point above bottom-placed Sunderland in the Premier League. Pochettino's arrival at Old Trafford concludes a decade-long pursuit, with the Argentine leading Southampton to eighth place during his only full season at the club.

United had first considered Pochettino two years ago, but eventually opted for Jose Mourinho. The Argentine was also a contender for the role in 2022 but lost out to Erik ten Hag, who United later hired instead.